Moderator: E.J. Peiker

All times are UTC-05:00

  
« Previous topic | Next topic »  
Reply to topic  
 First unread post  | 40 posts | 
by Cynthia Crawford on Tue Nov 13, 2018 9:07 pm
User avatar
Cynthia Crawford
Moderator
Posts: 20371
Joined: 10 Jun 2006
Location: Vermont
Member #:00733
I am curious about using the D850 with the new 500 5.6 lens, as opposed to using the d500 with it.( I am hoping to obtain the 500 5.6 at some point.) While I've been very happy , generally, with my d500 (with 300 f/4 and sometimes 1.4 III), It doesn't do so well in low light, and that's pretty much what we live with here , much of the time. Lots of noise above ISO 800 in low light. I wouldn't get rid of the D500, it's very light, portable and easy to hand-hold.  It's still a great camera, BUT....

Considerations for me with the D850 are:

Plus side: better low light and general image quality
Versatility-useful for macro, landscape, etc. (though I don't do much of that).
Probably a camera I'd never need to replace (haha). (Until mirrorless comes out with lightweight super cameras with long lenses).

Minus side: additional weight (?) (especially with the 500 lens)
Perhaps a harder camera to learn to use? (I am  a bit tech-handicapped)
harder to handhold? 9I would not be using a grip)
EXPENSE!
I would have to sell off more of my residual Canon gear.

 
Have pondered the D810 and D750 as well as D850,. Built-in flash would be nice.
But I shoot mainly birds-need a fairly robust burst mode.

Or maybe Ill be just fine with D500 and the elusive 500 f5/6.

EJ-curious why you use the D500 rather than the D850 with your new 500 5.6 lens. (Assuming you have a D850).

Thanks , as always, for everyone's thoughts and insights.
Cynthia (Cindy) Crawford-Moderator, Photo & Digital Art
web site: http://www.creaturekinships.net
"If I Keep a Green Bough in My Heart, the Singing Bird Will Come"  Chinese Proverb
 

by DChan on Tue Nov 13, 2018 9:24 pm
DChan
Forum Contributor
Posts: 2206
Joined: 9 Jan 2009
D750 is better for low light. D500 focuses better than D850 does.
 

by Cynthia Crawford on Tue Nov 13, 2018 10:04 pm
User avatar
Cynthia Crawford
Moderator
Posts: 20371
Joined: 10 Jun 2006
Location: Vermont
Member #:00733
DChan wrote:D750 is better for low light. D500 focuses better than D850 does.
Hmm- "D500 focuses better than D850"....-could you explain that a bit more?

Is D750 better in low light than BOTH D500 and D850?

Thanks!
Cynthia (Cindy) Crawford-Moderator, Photo & Digital Art
web site: http://www.creaturekinships.net
"If I Keep a Green Bough in My Heart, the Singing Bird Will Come"  Chinese Proverb
 

by Larry Shuman on Wed Nov 14, 2018 7:19 am
Larry Shuman
Forum Contributor
Posts: 460
Joined: 25 Nov 2009
Cynthia Crawford wrote:
DChan wrote:D750 is better for low light. D500 focuses better than D850 does.
Hmm- "D500 focuses better than D850"....-could you explain that a bit more?

Is D750 better in low light than BOTH D500 and D850?

Thanks!

I think the D500 has the D5 focus module in it, The D850 doesn't.

Larry
 

by Karl Egressy on Wed Nov 14, 2018 7:40 am
User avatar
Karl Egressy
Forum Contributor
Posts: 39506
Joined: 11 Dec 2004
Location: Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Member #:00988
With my limited experience so far, I noticed the followings.
Pros of D500:
Focuses better.
Initial focus acquisition and holding on to the target is better.
Ten frames per second oppose to seven of D850. (Better for BIF)
Better low light performance.
Based on my indoor testing at very low natural light I can get clean images even as high ISO as 8000 if I do push the histogram to the right.
(Setting it properly)
Shutter is much quieter than that of D850.

Pros of D850.
Better color rendition.
Better detail.
With the option of full frame, 1.2 crop and 1.5 crop you turn your fix focus lens into a quasi zoom lens.
Your 300 mm lens becomes a 300, 360 and 450 with a push of a button.
 

by E.J. Peiker on Wed Nov 14, 2018 8:35 am
User avatar
E.J. Peiker
Senior Technical Editor
Posts: 86761
Joined: 16 Aug 2003
Location: Arizona
Member #:00002
The D500 does not focus "better" than the D850, the advantage it has is that it has AF sensors that cover nearly the entire frame making it easier to track motion however if the D850 is placed in DX mode, it is essentially indistinguishable from a D500 in virtually anything that one can measure. the D850 has the advantage of being more versatile as you can shoot it at 45mp full frame, 30mp APS-H, 20mp APS-C, or several other formats.
 

by KK Hui on Wed Nov 14, 2018 6:00 pm
User avatar
KK Hui
Moderator
Posts: 42664
Joined: 21 Aug 2003
Location: Hong Kong, China
Member #:00536
If you shoot BIF and need some cropping most of the time (say, 90%) even using DX format body, you want the D500.

At 10 fps and a huge buffer you get to capture the flight sequence to your heart's content.
... and at a cost of 1/2  what you pay for a D850.

D850 is a all round DSLR but I choose the D500 in the end for my BIF work.

The D500 is a specialist tool (for BIF or sports) IMHO.
KK Hui  FRPS
Fellow of The Royal Photographic Society
Personal Website | Portfolio @ Flickr

Lifetime Member NSN 0536
 

by Cynthia Crawford on Wed Nov 14, 2018 8:32 pm
User avatar
Cynthia Crawford
Moderator
Posts: 20371
Joined: 10 Jun 2006
Location: Vermont
Member #:00733
Thanks everyone- good thoughts. Does anyone use a D750 as a back-up and/or for low light, and for similar versatility to the D850 (i.e. something other than birds)? I ask this knowing that the D850 is likely the cat's meow, but it's expensive! Have my eye on D810 for similar reasons.
I do love my D500, but it would be nice to have a second body. Another thought- I think my computer hard drive would soon get overstuffed with 45mp full frame D850 pictures! I already have a desk cluttered with external hard drives. :(.
Cynthia (Cindy) Crawford-Moderator, Photo & Digital Art
web site: http://www.creaturekinships.net
"If I Keep a Green Bough in My Heart, the Singing Bird Will Come"  Chinese Proverb
 

by Anthony Medici on Wed Nov 14, 2018 9:02 pm
User avatar
Anthony Medici
Lifetime Member
Posts: 6879
Joined: 17 Aug 2003
Location: Champions Gate, FL
Member #:00012
I've moved from using two D810's (D810 + D810A) to using two D850's. I've also used a D500 and D600 in the past.

I migrated from the D500 and several other consumer DX cameras because they were DX. I decided I'd rather have the additional versatility of using having FX and the APS-H mode available since I like to use mostly prime lenses. The D500 was the last DX camera to go when I realized that the DX crop mode in the D850 was not that different from the resolution of the D500. (The D810's DX mode has less resolution available than either the D500 or the D850 though it has just as much as some of my previous DX cameras.)

I migrated from using any consumer body (D7200, D600, etc) since I didn't like the changes in the buttons between the pro models and the consumer models when you shoot with one of each camera. I never owned the D750 (which is a consumer body) and the only thing I'll say is that it is 24mp FX meaning the 1.2x and DX crops are significantly less in resolution than either the D810's or the D850.

I'll also add that the decision to go to using two D850's was very recent. I simply felt that the noise characteristics along with the extra features of the camera warranted the switch. If you do go to the D850, use XQD cards in it. Fast XQD give you the largest buffer when shooting continuously.

I never noticed a difference between the autofocus on the D500 and the D850 other than the relative size in frame difference that is DX versus FX. The consumer bodies I used, and I never used the D750, I always considered slightly inferior to the pro bodies. And I consider the D5 autofocusing a step above the D850's or D500's in two ways. It has an additional two group modes that are wonderful to use and it acquires faster than any of the other Nikon dSLRs, in my opinion. The quickness, I think, is due to the camera being designed around the higher voltage battery. I can't tell whether it locks in more truly since I only have 20mp as a resulting image on that camera instead of the 36mp or 45mp of the D810's or D850.

And, yes, I noticed a sharp upturn in the space needed for a days shooting when I only use the higher resolution cameras. That's both for the D810's and the D850. That kind of why I got the D5. I use it when resolution isn't as important to me and it saves tons of space in comparison to the others. Hard drives in enclosures that hold multiple HDs is the way to go for keeping the images of the higher resolution cameras. Multiple enclosures on the desktop would drive me nuts after a while.

I've decided to hold off trying either Nikon Z body since there are too many autofocus modes missing and I think I'll be unhappy with them.
Tony
 

by SantaFeJoe on Wed Nov 14, 2018 10:02 pm
User avatar
SantaFeJoe
Forum Contributor
Posts: 8622
Joined: 28 Jan 2012
Location: Somewhere Out In The Wilds
Hey Cindy
If you do decide to try the D750, Nikon has a great deal on it now. This came in to me in an email this morning:

D750 Special

It includes the grip.

Joe
Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.  -Pablo Picasso
 

by Cynthia Crawford on Wed Nov 14, 2018 10:24 pm
User avatar
Cynthia Crawford
Moderator
Posts: 20371
Joined: 10 Jun 2006
Location: Vermont
Member #:00733
Anthony Medici wrote:I've moved from using two D810's (D810 + D810A) to using two D850's. I've also used a D500 and D600 in the past.

I migrated from the D500 and several other consumer DX cameras because they were DX. I decided I'd rather have the additional versatility of using having FX and the APS-H mode available since I like to use mostly prime lenses. The D500 was the last DX camera to go when I realized that the DX crop mode in the D850 was not that different from the resolution of the D500. (The D810's DX mode has less resolution available than either the D500 or the D850 though it has just as much as some of my previous DX cameras.)

I migrated from using any consumer body (D7200, D600, etc) since I didn't like the changes in the buttons between the pro models and the consumer models when you shoot with one of each camera. I never owned the D750 (which is a consumer body) and the only thing I'll say is that it is 24mp FX meaning the 1.2x and DX crops are significantly less in resolution than either the D810's or the D850.

I'll also add that the decision to go to using two D850's was very recent. I simply felt that the noise characteristics along with the extra features of the camera warranted the switch. If you do go to the D850, use XQD cards in it. Fast XQD give you the largest buffer when shooting continuously.

I never noticed a difference between the autofocus on the D500 and the D850 other than the relative size in frame difference that is DX versus FX. The consumer bodies I used, and I never used the D750, I always considered slightly inferior to the pro bodies. And I consider the D5 autofocusing a step above the D850's or D500's in two ways. It has an additional two group modes that are wonderful to use and it acquires faster than any of the other Nikon dSLRs, in my opinion. The quickness, I think, is due to the camera being designed around the higher voltage battery. I can't tell whether it locks in more truly since I only have 20mp as a resulting image on that camera instead of the 36mp or 45mp of the D810's or D850.

And, yes, I noticed a sharp upturn in the space needed for a days shooting when I only use the higher resolution cameras. That's both for the D810's and the D850. That kind of why I got the D5. I use it when resolution isn't as important to me and it saves tons of space in comparison to the others. Hard drives in enclosures that hold multiple HDs is the way to go for keeping the images of the higher resolution cameras. Multiple enclosures on the desktop would drive me nuts after a while.

I've decided to hold off trying either Nikon Z body since there are too many autofocus modes missing and I think I'll be unhappy with them.
Interesting, Anthony. I forgot to mention....I need to stick with lighter cameras and lenses. Hence the D500. Have fun with those beautiful cameras!!
Cynthia (Cindy) Crawford-Moderator, Photo & Digital Art
web site: http://www.creaturekinships.net
"If I Keep a Green Bough in My Heart, the Singing Bird Will Come"  Chinese Proverb
 

by Cynthia Crawford on Wed Nov 14, 2018 10:25 pm
User avatar
Cynthia Crawford
Moderator
Posts: 20371
Joined: 10 Jun 2006
Location: Vermont
Member #:00733
SantaFeJoe wrote:Hey Cindy
If you do decide to try the D750, Nikon has a great deal on it now. This came in to me in an email this morning:

D750 Special

It includes the grip.

Joe
Thanks Joe- amazing price. Tempting!!
Cynthia (Cindy) Crawford-Moderator, Photo & Digital Art
web site: http://www.creaturekinships.net
"If I Keep a Green Bough in My Heart, the Singing Bird Will Come"  Chinese Proverb
 

by Richard B. on Sun Nov 18, 2018 1:20 am
Richard B.
Lifetime Member
Posts: 283
Joined: 14 Feb 2004
Location: Central Massachusetts
Member #:01199
Hi Cindy, 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUsGqnYrHKs

As the discussion is now including the D750, I'm attaching a link to a comparison of the D850 to the D750. There are a lot of good points made and certainly the price drop on the D750 adds another big positive. I believe the button layout on the 850 is the same as the 500. If true it would certainly add to the comfort level of using the 850 along with the 500. 

Hope it helps. 

Richard
 

by Cynthia Crawford on Sun Nov 18, 2018 8:41 pm
User avatar
Cynthia Crawford
Moderator
Posts: 20371
Joined: 10 Jun 2006
Location: Vermont
Member #:00733
Richard B. wrote:Hi Cindy, 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUsGqnYrHKs

As the discussion is now including the D750, I'm attaching a link to a comparison of the D850 to the D750. There are a lot of good points made and certainly the price drop on the D750 adds another big positive. I believe the button layout on the 850 is the same as the 500. If true it would certainly add to the comfort level of using the 850 along with the 500. 

Hope it helps. 

Richard
Thanks Richard. An interesting video. I also looked at "Camera Decisions for several comparisons. I like your point about the similar set-up on D500 and D850. One thing I haven't mentioned though-I almost never use a tripod or even a monopod.  It's not practical (for me), shooting birds. I wonder how well the D850 does hand-held, for birds. (Or the D750, for that matter). (I am getting on in age-weight is a big concern, as is the amount of steadiness required for good sharp images. I'm understanding that the D850 is less forgiving in that regard-i.e., a tripod might more necessary? 
Cynthia (Cindy) Crawford-Moderator, Photo & Digital Art
web site: http://www.creaturekinships.net
"If I Keep a Green Bough in My Heart, the Singing Bird Will Come"  Chinese Proverb
 

by DChan on Sun Nov 18, 2018 9:46 pm
DChan
Forum Contributor
Posts: 2206
Joined: 9 Jan 2009
Cynthia Crawford wrote:
Richard B. wrote:Hi Cindy, 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUsGqnYrHKs

As the discussion is now including the D750, I'm attaching a link to a comparison of the D850 to the D750. There are a lot of good points made and certainly the price drop on the D750 adds another big positive. I believe the button layout on the 850 is the same as the 500. If true it would certainly add to the comfort level of using the 850 along with the 500. 

Hope it helps. 

Richard
Thanks Richard. An interesting video. I also looked at "Camera Decisions for several comparisons. I like your point about the similar set-up on D500 and D850. One thing I haven't mentioned though-I almost never use a tripod or even a monopod.  It's not practical (for me), shooting birds. I wonder how well the D850 does hand-held, for birds. (Or the D750, for that matter). (I am getting on in age-weight is a big concern, as is the amount of steadiness required for good sharp images. I'm understanding that the D850 is less forgiving in that regard-i.e., a tripod might more necessary? 
Seems to me your heart tells you to get the D850 :) 

IMO, if you mostly deal with not-very-bright light environment, and you don't want to use a tripod, you'd better stick with your D500.

If having a D850 would make you feel better and happier, buy one. Like they say: "Follow your heart."
 

by Cynthia Crawford on Sun Nov 18, 2018 10:16 pm
User avatar
Cynthia Crawford
Moderator
Posts: 20371
Joined: 10 Jun 2006
Location: Vermont
Member #:00733
DChan wrote:
Cynthia Crawford wrote:
Richard B. wrote:Hi Cindy, 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUsGqnYrHKs

As the discussion is now including the D750, I'm attaching a link to a comparison of the D850 to the D750. There are a lot of good points made and certainly the price drop on the D750 adds another big positive. I believe the button layout on the 850 is the same as the 500. If true it would certainly add to the comfort level of using the 850 along with the 500. 

Hope it helps. 

Richard
Thanks Richard. An interesting video. I also looked at "Camera Decisions for several comparisons. I like your point about the similar set-up on D500 and D850. One thing I haven't mentioned though-I almost never use a tripod or even a monopod.  It's not practical (for me), shooting birds. I wonder how well the D850 does hand-held, for birds. (Or the D750, for that matter). (I am getting on in age-weight is a big concern, as is the amount of steadiness required for good sharp images. I'm understanding that the D850 is less forgiving in that regard-i.e., a tripod might more necessary? 
Seems to me your heart tells you to get the D850 :) 

IMO, if you mostly deal with not-very-bright light environment, and you don't want to use a tripod, you'd better stick with your D500.

If having a D850 would make you feel better and happier, buy one. Like they say: "Follow your heart."
Err- it sounds that way, doesn't it  :?. I guess I should at least try a D850, I guess. I've got a D750 coming -we'll see how that goes. Will need to think hard about spending an extra $2000 for D850! You know it's tough hanging out here with all you fantastic pro-quality photographers who can get the most out of a camera and sing the praises of the latest and greatest. :mrgreen:  I'm not sure I can follow suit! Photography , music and art, among other things, share my time-all very demanding.  

 "Follow your heart" is a lovely thought-thank you.
Cynthia (Cindy) Crawford-Moderator, Photo & Digital Art
web site: http://www.creaturekinships.net
"If I Keep a Green Bough in My Heart, the Singing Bird Will Come"  Chinese Proverb
 

by Richard B. on Sun Nov 18, 2018 10:53 pm
Richard B.
Lifetime Member
Posts: 283
Joined: 14 Feb 2004
Location: Central Massachusetts
Member #:01199
Hi Cindy,

Glad you found the link to be helpful. In regards to the D850, it is often repeated on this board, that the sensor is very unforgiving of any bad technique. I'm no spring chicken, and I live to the south of you - Mass. It ain't much brighter down here. So if using some sort of support is out of the question, then I think you might want to be cautious about the D850. People claim to hand hold it, but I'm not sure I could get sharp images that way. Steve Perry put up an interesting video a short while ago about using a monopod with a gimbel head. I've only played with that configuration indoors and I'm not as confident in it as he is. But a carbon fiber mono-pod along with a light weight gimbel might be a possible light weight support solution.

Lastly, you made the point that the camera just might last you a very long time. Can you rent one someplace?

Fun to spend somebody else's money!
 

by Cynthia Crawford on Mon Nov 19, 2018 5:57 am
User avatar
Cynthia Crawford
Moderator
Posts: 20371
Joined: 10 Jun 2006
Location: Vermont
Member #:00733
Richard B. wrote:Hi Cindy,

Glad you found the link to be helpful. In regards to the D850, it is often repeated on this board, that the sensor is very unforgiving of any bad technique. I'm no spring chicken, and I live to the south of you - Mass. It ain't much brighter down here. So if using some sort of support is out of the question, then I think you might want to be cautious about the D850. People claim to hand hold it, but I'm not sure I could get sharp images that way. Steve Perry put up an interesting video a short while ago about using a monopod with a gimbel head. I've only played with that configuration indoors and I'm not as confident in it as he is. But a carbon fiber mono-pod along with a light weight gimbel might be a possible light weight support solution.

Lastly, you made the point that the camera just might last you a very long time. Can you rent one someplace?

Fun to spend somebody else's money!
Hi Richard. Thank you-I kind of thought it might be a hard camera to hold steady. I saw Steve Perry's video too- very good ideas, but can't carry around any extra weight. I've tried a monopod- actually have a nice old one....and found myself lifting the camera AND the pod for a BIF! If I did more macro and landscape, I guess the 850 would make more sense...

Well, we'll see how the 750 suits. You haven't spent (all) my money yet! :wink:
Cynthia (Cindy) Crawford-Moderator, Photo & Digital Art
web site: http://www.creaturekinships.net
"If I Keep a Green Bough in My Heart, the Singing Bird Will Come"  Chinese Proverb
 

by Richard B. on Mon Nov 19, 2018 9:26 am
Richard B.
Lifetime Member
Posts: 283
Joined: 14 Feb 2004
Location: Central Massachusetts
Member #:01199
Would like to see what you think of it (750) once you've shot in the field.

R.
 

by Anthony Medici on Mon Nov 19, 2018 10:16 am
User avatar
Anthony Medici
Lifetime Member
Posts: 6879
Joined: 17 Aug 2003
Location: Champions Gate, FL
Member #:00012
The D850's resolution on a target in DX mode is slightly less than the D500 (19 mp vs 20 mp) so if you can use the D500 for BIF then the D850 should be no issue. It was also released in 2017 and uses the Expeed 5 like the D500.

The D750's resolution in DX mode is 10 mp, it was released in 2014 and it uses the Expeed 4. The D750 is also slightly slower in continuous shooting than the D850 since it is only 6.5 fps instead of the 7 fps of the D850. It does weigh about 1/2 lbs less than the D850 and is even slightly lighter than the D500. I doubt it is weather sealed as well as either the D500 or the D850.
Tony
 

Display posts from previous:  Sort by:  
40 posts | 
  

Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group